[Fitness, Health and Happiness]

Fitness Friday || Tattoos, iFitness and New Gels

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Click How to Participate for the details.

Recent new-to-me that I've tried-and-love or want-to-try. 

First, tried and love...

When you signed up for a pace group in Chicago you also got a pace tattoo. This was my first time using a pace guide of any sort and while it's not totally necessary I liked having it. Loved keeping track and using it to calculate a variety of things when I needed a distraction. Plus, it was a conversation piece for people that decided not to use theirs. Do you use a pacing guide during races?

Next tried and love. iFitness Running Belts. The belts are a product that hold up to their claims of "no bounce, riding or chafing." A favorite point is that the pouch stays flat. And I love that they come with the race number holder. I have several to use depending on the type of run. Do you have a favorite fuel belt? Do you wear a water belt during races?

Now, want to try...

For the convenience and energy I've been on a mission to find a gel that I can stomach. A friend highly recommended Accel Gel and was kind enough to give me 2 to try. After doing a little research I'm going to try one of these during my next long run. Usually, just the thought of consuming a gel makes me want to gag. The texture and they're just way too sweet. I'm actually looking forward to trying Accel. Do you use energy gels? Do you have a favorite brand or flavor?

What new-to-you have you tried lately? 

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PINspiration Monday [on Wednesday]

Love this for fall (via).

A new recipe to try (via).

Natural beauty recipes using everyday food (via).

A great time-saving idea (via).

Inspired by words. What did you do today (via)?

Blog Hop Wednesday [Co-Host]

Another week of Blog Hop Wednesday,  great way to find new friends, new blogs to read and introduce your blog to new readers. 

The rules of the hop....

1. Follow me, the co-host of the hop, at Life I See It [Fitness, Health and Happiness] and the host of Blog Hop Wednesday, clairejustineoxox on Google Friends Connect. 
   
   
2. Link up your blog in the linky below. Please leave a comment if you are a new follower so we can follow you back.
   
   
3. Visit other blogs, follow the ones you like and make new friends.
   
   
4. Please, family friendly blogs only.

Fitness Friday || Memories of a Marathon [Quitting Was Never An Option]

 

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Click How to Participate for the details.

It's still hard to believe it's over. The race has been run. The memories are forever.

Chicago was beautiful. We arrived early enough Saturday morning to take a walk through a park and along Michigan Avenue.

Packet pick up and have the DTAG scanned to activate. I remember feeling butterflies in my stomach at this point.

Ready for tomorrow. Set my goal at 4:30 and signed up to join the Nike Pace Team.

Words that inspire!

At the expo there were 3 large walls listing the names of every runner. Found mine right...there!

Actually running the race. A beautiful morning and it only took about 15 minutes to get across the start line. I found my pace group and stuck close to Marie. She was running her 112th marathon so I figured she must know what she is doing. I was right! She was fun, encouraging and at about mile 15-16 she said to me, "You've got this Jill!" At that point I was 2 minutes ahead of my goal time and feeling stronger than ever. It was the best and easiest 15 miles I have ever run. 

Then, the split second decision of one runner changed that for me when he decided to stop right in front of me. As he stopped and I tried to prevent myself from falling over him I landed on my right food and immediately felt a stabbing pain in my right calf. I thought maybe it just tightened up or minor cramping so I ran past two emergency aid stations. By the third one I could barely run on it. So I stopped just to have it wrapped and to get Tylenol. The EMT tried to convince me to quit the race. All I could think about was if he would hurry I can try to make up the time. He kept asking "are you sure?" No I wasn't sure I would be ok but I was sure quitting was not an option. So, I just ran. One step became one mile. One mile finally became the finish. I didn't meet my goal. I couldn't return to my miles 1-15 pace. Still, quitting was not an option. 

(Proofs from Marathonfoto. I will be ordering a few of these)

I cried twice somewhere between mile 17 and the finish. Not because of the pain. The first time was when it occurred to me [for a split second] that I might not be able to finish. The second time was when I finished.

Since then I've gone over the whole race in my head a million times. I'm planning a do-over in 2012. I've been frustrated and angry off an on since that day. Cried 2 more times. And finally with all sincerity can say, "look what I accomplished! I ran 26.2 miles!"

This was the day I decided to stop beating myself up and taking away the glory that is finishing. Christie O

Now that my biggest goal for 2011 has been accomplished I'm thinking even more about 2012. Thinking about do I really want to run an ultra, trying a different marathon training program, possibly running the Colorado Ragnar Relay, and yes, even a few non-running/fitness goals too. 

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That brings me to a new giveaway generously sponsored by The Run Home! To get you thinking about looking back at 2011 and looking forward to 2012.

The Run Home is your home for unique, handcrafted running inspired and inspirational and motivational jewelry and ornaments! We love to make items that we love, related to everything we love! We strive to make beautiful, affordable jewelry to celebrate life!

 I love this necklace. Love the words, dream and believe. A little reminder on those less than great days. Seeing the 2012 reminds me of the promise of a new year and the endless possibilities. Debbie's shop is a great place to start your Christmas wishlist!

                                                               How to Enter

Mandatory Entries

1. You must be a follower or my blog.
2. Leave a comment and tell me what goals you have accomplised in 2011 and/or what goals you have in mind for 2012.
3. Visit The Run Home and leave a comment on a favorite charm or necklace.

Extra Entries

1. Leave a new comment on a non-giveaway [Fitness, Health and Happiness] post.
2. Tweet about the giveaway.
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog. 
4. Post about the giveaway on Facebook.

Leave a comment for each entry and include an email address. Giveaway ends 12:00 p.m. EST October 29, 2011.  If winning entrant doesn’t acknowledge their win within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only. 

Disclosure: For the purpose of this giveaway, The Run Home generously donated the necklace free of charge. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own and not influenced in any way by the company or products I received.

Now the link up!

 

Blog Hop Wednesday [Co-Host]

I'm co-hosting with clairejustineoxox to bring you Blog Hop Wednesday. A great way to find new friends, new blogs to read and introduce your blog to new readers. 

The rules of the hop....

1. Follow me, the co-host of the hop, at Life I See It [Fitness, Health and Happiness] and the host of Blog Hop Wednesday, clairejustineoxox on Google Friends Connect. 
   
   
2. Link up your blog in the linky below. Please leave a comment if you are a new follower so we can follow you back.
   
   
3. Visit other blogs, follow the ones you like and make new friends.
   
   
4. Please, family friendly blogs only.

 

Fitness Friday || Own Chicago 2011

I've been training for about 20 weeks (Too long. More on that later.) for this weekend. For the past few days I have gone back and forth from so excited to majour butterflies in my stomach.

This morning, I'm eerily calm and relaxed. I'm ready (Disclaimer: the feeling of confidence and being ready is subject to change at any given moment!).

All along I planned packing for at least cool weather. Change in plans for warmer temps. Finally, this is all packed.

This is what I have worked and planned for. My Sunday morning :)

Time to link up! Share your health and fitness stories, tips and photos!

Blog Hop Wednesday [Co-Host]

 This week I'm co-hosting with clairejustineoxox to bring you Blog Hop Wednesday. A great way to find new friends, new blogs to read and introduce your blog to new readers. 

The rules of the hop....

1. Follow me, the co-host of the hop, at Life I See It [Fitness, Health and Happiness] and the host of Blog Hop Wednesday, clairejustineoxox on Google Friends Connect. 
   
   
2. Link up your blog in the linky below. Please leave a comment if you are a new follower so we can follow you back.
   
   
3. Visit other blogs, follow the ones you like and make new friends.
   
   
4. Please, family friendly blogs only.

 

Blog Hop Wednesday Co-Host and Workout Wednesday

This week I'm co-hosting with clairejustineoxox to bring you Blog Hop Wednesday. A great way to find new friends, new blogs to read and introduce your blog to new readers. 

Here are the rules of the hop....

1. Follow me, the co-host of the hop, at Life I See It [Fitness, Health and Happiness] and the host of Blog Hop Wednesday, clairejustineoxox on Google Friends Connect. 
   
   
2. Link up your blog in the linky below. Please leave a comment if you are a new follower so we can follow you back.
   
   
3. Visit other blogs, follow the ones you like and make new friends.
   
   
4. Please, family friendly blogs only.

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Workout Wednesday [Mid-Week Check-In]

Sunday - Run 17 
Monday - Upper Plus
Tuesday - Run 6, Ab Ripper
Wednesday - Total Body Plus, Run 5
Thursday - Abs/Core Plus, Run 4
Friday - Upper Plus, Abs/Core Plus
Saturday - Run 10

Mid-week review

• The taper. In theory it sounds nice. With the purpose of giving my body a rest before race day.
• The taper. In reality isn't easy. A combination of training for 19 weeks and the excitement of the upcoming race make it difficult to cut back on distance. Like last night. I was supposed to run 5. I ran 6. I felt too good to stop and took full advantage of the perfect running weather. 
• I've been using P90X and P90X Plus since October of last year. I love it. It works. And I will undoubtedly be doing the programs again. But, I'm ready for a new strength training program. More specifically P90X2. So excited about the release. Check it out!

How is your workout week going? Have you been enjoying great weather? What are you doing to take adavantage of the perfect being outside weather?

Now the link-up!

Fitness Friday || Memories of A Marathon

USAF Half Marathon

What I will remember...

Packet pick-up and the Expo with Alec.

Alec's 5K PR the night before my race. He went straight for the pizza afterwards.

Dinner with friends.

The military details. The flags. Fly overs. Running through 2 rows of aircraft to the finish line.

Their excitement about eating pizza and cheesy bread for breakfast :)

Feeling stronger than ever. 

Feeling like I was on top of the world!

Remembering how right after I crossed the finish line I thought to myself "This moment. This is why I do what I do. This is why I love to run."

Friends!

I will also remember...

• the singing of the national anthem gives me goose bumps
• I can't even think about eating pizza and drinking beer afterwards
• loved running with the pace group most of the way
• perfect weather
• next year I want to run the 5k and the half 
• miles seemed to go by fast
• I'm getting better at drinking on the run (wearing less!)
• this was one of the most efficient and best organized races I've ever run

I ran a 5K trail race at 9:00 that night and this is all I have to show for it. A bib. My Nike cap. A head lamp. I was too tired to get my camera out of the car. What I will remember...the stretches throughout the course that it was just me. The silence of the night except for my foot falls. Oh and wearing a head lamp was very cool :)

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I'd love to know, if you write race recaps on your blog (or plan to), how do you remember so many very specific details of a race? How do you remember mile by mile details?

Now the link up. Share your Fitness Friday!

Fitness Friday || Trail Running

Welcome to Fitness Friday! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Details of participating in the blog hop and button code here > Fitness Friday

This year one of my goals is to run more trail races. I didn't really expect it to be my kind of thing but after everything I read about the benefits of adding trail runs to your training plan (for road races) I decided to try. Much to my surprise I love it. It's tough. And so totally different from running on the road. The challenge is invigorating. Energizing. Want to see what I mean? The organizers of a trail race in July took photos and recently made them available online for download. 

18 Miles at Caesar Creek

Another running weekend planned. Air Force Marthon Expo Friday afternoon, my son is running Air Force 5K Friday evening and the half marathon for me on Saturday morning. Can't wait!

Back to trail running. I've mentioned before that I'm one place away from making it into the Dirty Dozen (top 12 female runners for the trail race series). I have 2 more races to move up at least one place. One is this weekend. Oh and by the way it's Saturday night at 9:00 after running the Air Force Half. I can do this! 

Have you tried trail running? Did you enjoy it as much as (or more) than road running? What are your fitness plans for the weekend? Any races on your calendar?

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You still have a few more days to enter to win 1 of the 5 the Moeben Sleeves. Giveaway ends midnight EST September 19. Click here to enter 5 Moeben Arm Sleeve Giveaway.

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